Boy, has it been fun to be back on the ball diamonds this summer. Just ask the London West Tincaps U11 team, which has been enjoying the great game of baseball while improving their skills throughout the summer.
Graham Hegler has had a front row seat. He’s the coach of this Tincaps squad, and he’s been impressed by what he’s seen. For starters, it’s a group that has shown versatility, with players being able to play various positions. Their defense has been strong, both in the infield and outfield. But the best part?
“This group of kids truly all get along and pull for each other,” says Hegler. “The players have shown a keen willingness to learn and improve – with a level of enthusiasm that is contagious.”
Besides having fun, which is the primary goal, Hegler says the team is focused on improving each player’s ‘baseball IQ,’ building everyone’s confidence, and having players improve at multiple positions on the diamond. There are some specific performance goals, too, like advancing to the OBA championships and showing well there. He’d like to see the team win a tournament, or the regular season, or the league playoffs. Perhaps most importantly, Hegler says, he’d like to see his players “continue to respect other players, coaches and umpires, and conduct ourselves properly – on and off the field.”
Hegler is no stranger to coaching. He’s been a golf instructor since 1996 (he’s the head golf pro at the City of London’s Thames Valley Golf Course), and he’s coached boys and girls hockey for seven years. He coached T-Ball for two years with Oakridge house league, and he’s now been with the London West Tincaps since 2019 (in his youth, he was an Oakridge ballplayer for 14 years).
So, what is the focus for the team’s development the rest of the way?
“We want to get all players comfortable and confident in their pitching abilities, and we want to teach strong hitting technique and plate awareness,” Hegler says. “Teaching the kids the many nuances of the game and applying their skills to in-game situations is also a priority.
“We’re trying to build a winning culture and attitude, and we’re also striving to be the best people we can be – in all team and individual successes and defeats.”
Contributions by Graham Hegler and photo by xGen Photo
